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The Godsons Bouldering

Climbing Area Map

Areas in The Godsons

Little Godson 0

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Elevation:	454 ft	138 m
GPS:	35.95569, -79.33172 Google Map · Climbing Area Map
Page Views:	2,072 total · 29/month
Shared By:	Bradley Allf on Jun 3, 2019
Admins:	Steve Lineberry, Aaron Parlier Page Updates (admin only)

See Weather Forecast

Access Issue: Post Hurricane Helene Accessibility of Crags Details

The CCC has created the list linked below of accessible and inaccessible climbing areas with some caveats. If you decide to head out for a day of climbing, please do not attempt to go to those marked ‘inaccessible’. Please note that all areas in WNC will have extensive tree damage and if you head out, use extra caution for all the trees above, especially on a windy day. Rock fall potential is also highest after a big weather event. Please use extra caution while climbing and prepare to self rescue if injured. Injury response time will be greatly limited for any injury currently, especially for a remote injury. Cell service is limited in all areas. Parking at accessible crags in the WNC/ Upstate SC region will likely be challenging. If the parking lot is full, go to a different area and do not park illegally or in a road. Make a plan B before leaving your house. Expect road detours on the way to the crag. NCdrive.gov updates road closures. Once you get to the crag, expect many trees blocking access trails and of course, come volunteer with the CCC to help us bring our climbing areas back!

carolinaclimbers.org/conten…

Description

Two boulders in relatively deep water (typically ~8 feet, but always check before you climb) make for a fun summer afternoon in Saxapahaw. Big Godson is the 15 foot face on the left as you approach from the water. Little Godson is smaller, on the right, and further into the water. Big Godson in particular is a lot less contrived than any other "bouldering" opportunities in the area (looking at you, Carrboro Boulders) and probably the best outdoor bouldering in the Triangle area.

The water is shallow immediately below Big Godson (it is attached to the bank after all) but drops off very quickly so falling is safe as long as you kick off the wall a bit. Again, dive around before climbing to check the depth and to make sure there aren't stick hazards. Life jackets are recommended. Climbs can be done barefoot but some old climbing shoes will make the sharper edges more manageable.

Not well-known so there are still numerous opportunities for new routes. Be respectful of the harmless fishing spiders and northern water snakes that make the Godsons their home. Topping out is recommended so you can leap from the boulder into deep water. Buy your friend a pint from the nearby Haw River Farmhouse Brewery if they on-sight Tree of Life barefoot then land a clean gainer into the water.

Getting There

Grab your kayak, canoe or SUP and head upriver from the Saxapahaw Lake paddle access point on Jordan Drive. Kayaks and canoes can also be rented from the nearby Haw River Canoe and Kayak Company though prices are a bit steep. Head to the opposite side of the lake (west) and upstream about 1/4 mile. You'll pass a small outcropping of rocks before reaching the Godsons. They should be unmistakable-- no other nearby rocks are so obviously climbable. Haul your watercraft onto the bank but keep your life jacket on. Climbing on the rock and swimming are permissible, according to one of the employees at the Haw River Canoe and Kayak company.

Upon return to the access point stay well away from the dam downstream. Many people have apparently died intentionally going over it in kayaks. There is very little current so there is no excuse for getting close to the dam.

Please don't hurt the snakes. There are no cottonmouths/water moccasins this far west so the snakes you see are almost certainly harmless northern water snakes. If you're lucky you might see them catch a catfish.